Imprisoned Hong Kong media entrepreneur and pro-democracy advocate Jimmy Lai has been honoured with the prestigious Freedom of Speech Award at the 2026 DW Global Media Forum in Bonn, Germany, in recognition of his unwavering commitment to press freedom and democratic values.
The award, presented by German international broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW), was received on Lai’s behalf by his daughter, Claire Lai, during a ceremony attended by more than 1,500 journalists, media executives, policymakers and civil society leaders from over 100 countries.
Accepting the award, Claire Lai expressed gratitude to journalists, human rights advocates and democratic institutions around the world who have continued to champion her father’s cause despite his prolonged imprisonment.
“This award is not only for my father, but for all those who continue to stand for truth, freedom and the right of people to speak without fear,” she said.
Jimmy Lai, 78, is one of Hong Kong’s most prominent advocates for press freedom and democracy. A self-made businessman who rose from poverty after fleeing mainland China as a child, Lai built a successful business empire before founding the influential newspaper Apple Daily in 1995.
The publication became one of Hong Kong’s most widely read newspapers and was known for its outspoken criticism of Beijing and its support for democratic reforms.
For decades, Lai used his media platforms to advocate free expression, government accountability and civil liberties. His newspaper played a significant role in covering major pro-democracy movements in Hong Kong, including the Umbrella Movement of 2014 and the mass demonstrations of 2019.
Following the introduction of Hong Kong’s National Security Law in 2020, Lai was arrested and subsequently convicted on charges including conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and publishing seditious material.
Earlier this year, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison, a decision that drew criticism from international human rights organisations, press freedom groups and several Western governments.
Despite mounting pressure and opportunities to leave Hong Kong before his arrest, Lai chose to remain in the city, insisting that abandoning the struggle for freedom would betray the principles he had spent a lifetime defending. His supporters say his decision transformed him into a symbol of resistance against the shrinking space for independent journalism in Hong Kong.
Presenting the award, DW Director-General Barbara Massing praised Lai’s courage and dedication to independent journalism.
“Jimmy Lai stood unwaveringly for press freedom in Hong Kong at great personal risk,” she said, noting that through Apple Daily he provided journalists with a platform for free reporting and gave voice to Hong Kong’s democracy movement.
The recognition comes at a time when concerns continue to grow globally over the state of press freedom and the increasing challenges facing journalists in many parts of the world.
Lai’s award was one of the most emotional moments of this year’s Global Media Forum, whose theme, “Journalism Out Loud,” focuses on the role of independent journalism in defending democratic societies and holding power to account.
For many participants gathered in Bonn, the honour bestowed on Jimmy Lai serves as a reminder that press freedom remains a fundamental pillar of democracy and that the pursuit of truth often comes at great personal cost
